GFI offers several types of services but parents/carers and service users are welcome to discuss tailor made provisions to suit their needs.

In addition to learning disabilities, our services are also aimed at young people with Autism and Aspergers.

Personalised Day Provision (PDP)

Unlike traditional day service, we offer a provision that is specific to the service user. In focus with the Personalised Care Strategy, we believe service users can benefit from choosing what they would like to do. We believe everyone is different and possesses different skills, desires and aspirations.

We create Individulised Timetables that have activities that service users have chosen and also which are in line with their current and future needs. The timetables will however have some sessions that encourage group and social interaction among peers.

Educational Support (School, College and University)

We provide support to young people at school, college or at university.

Support at educational institutions would range from couple of hours to a whole day, in activities such as note taking, lunch/break buddy (especially for freshers), help in reading and understanding set tasks in class.

When college or university semesters commence quite a few young people experience the anxiety of new environment, people and lots of things to remember like lecture halls location, names of buildings, lecturers in addition to sit and concentrate. GFI provides a buddy weeks before the semester who together build a relationship to enable navigate the first weeks.

Employment Support and Training

We offer support in the workplace and can help employers understand about disabilities issues matter.

GFI has links with small businesses in the Eynsham/Witney area where we have had two of our linked service users get paid employment a couple of days a week stemming from our allotment project.

More recent, ICT businesses have had interest in disability awareness and have recruited or sought to recruit very high functioning individuals who we know have tremendous skills especially in areas like coding and programming. Creating an environment where one can have full potential normally requires an understanding and awareness in the part of the employer in areas of time-bound task management, dealing with deadlines, scheduled breaks, how to communicate - choice of words, managing routines and other factors which are important to those within the spectrum.

GFI L.O.V.E. Farm (Allotment Project)

L.O.V.E. (Local Organic Voluntary Economies) is a land based social enterprise in Oxfordshire, which aims to empower communities to take responsibility for their own wellbeing. When the resources of local land and the skills of local people are utilised, local economies can be developed. This can be done in an ethical and sustainable way to benefit the people and the environment.

L.O.V.E. began when Raul Ospina and B'lkaar Singh (Bill) met and started volunteering to help a local landowner to grow vegetables and look after animals. They did it because it brought them joy. The landowner would share with them the fruits of their labour.

L.O.V.E. began to grow and other local landowners invited them to help on their land, and the friends invited other local people to volunteer. Soon there was more land to work on, more friends helping, and more produce to share.

The former prime minister, David Cameron, heard of L.O.V.E. and arranged a meeting between them and the Oxfordshire NHS. At the meeting it was agreed that the health of local people would benefit from L.O.V.E., and a partnership was formed.

GFI and L.O.V.E. now, GFI L.O.V.E. works to improve the health of individuals, develop their knowledge and skills, and provide employment opportunities in the local economy. It also provides social, recreational and educational opportunities for those with a learning disability, Autism, Asperger’s, and also those with Behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD, also known as SEBD or EBD).

We use local land as a stage for various activities:

• Care Farming (use of agriculture as a therapy).
• Mindfulness, Meditation and Yoga
• Outdoor Workshops and Education
• Community events and Local Enterprise
• Facilitating opportunities for people within the autism spectrum

We currently have access to 5 sites:

• a 20 acre smallholding in Wootton
• a 20 acre smallholding with pasture and woodland in Cassington
• an ancient riverside meadow with orchard in Eynsham
• a 3 acre organic vegetable garden in Long Hanborough, supplying its own local shop
• a 20 acre paddock with herd of 18 horses in Garsington

Transition

At Go For It! we know how important it is to have a good transition. With parents and carers beginning to look for places at around age 14 and sometimes even earlier, we ensure that the information we put out is updated and relevant. This is why we have put together an information pack about us and the process.

We believe it's very important that transition is smooth. We have meetings where parents and carers can find out more information and speak about our different services we offer and find the best suited one.

Young people who are on the transition program can come to our Saturday Activity Sessions or Personalised Day Provision (PDP) on a day that suits them. They will be allocated staff support and be given a personalised activity schedule that would have been chosen during the transition meetings.

Drop-In Service

GFI Drop-In is a service where young people can come in Monday to Friday to use the center or join in the scheduled activities. We do ask people to call or email to for booking the sessions or use of the facility.

GFI Drop In service users can experience wide range of activities from cooking (please book in for this session) to sports. Other leisurely activities includes, games, computer, music, pool, XBOX and many more. With arrangement and booking we also offer specialized sessions in music session, singing, drama and video and filming projects.

There is an hourly charge and if you like, lunch can be provided at an extra cost. We advise people to call us before coming just in case we are out of the building.

Saturday Activity Program

The Saturday Club is cool place to be with your friends and to make new friends. We run wide range of activities from local activities to those outside the county. The program is design and run by members, with costs ranging from £10.

Support and transport (subject to numbers) can be provided if required.

Day/Weekend Trips and Holidays

Go For It! organises day/weekend trip and holidays. Our recent trip to the beach was an outstanding success and with great feedback from parents and service users.

Service users suggest and research about the destination and activities using computers and the library. They also plan with help from facilitators.

Holiday & Half Term Activities

We run person centred holiday and half-term activties that can be tailored to the young person's needs.

Life Coaching – Push Your Limits UK Coaching

Michelle offers life coaching having been professionally trained to deliver these life changing sessions.